A letter addressed to the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations and signed by General Secretary of JUSSAG, Derrick Annan, said the outstanding allowance has been in arrears since January 2017.

According to JUSSAG, if government fails to make the payment on or before October 19, 2017, the leadership of the Association will be forced to declare the industrial action to demand what is due JUSAG members.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZPYmPHch9Rop7MH493qDQJ9nuBM9GRoo”]“We, respectfully, reiterate that the rent allowance entitled our rank and file is explicitly stated in our conditions of service, and has received approval of the Judicial Council. This allowance has been outstanding since January 2017, and all efforts to receive payment have not yielded the needed response.”

“Upon failure to address the above on or before 19th October, 2017, we are enjoined to embark on industrial action to realize our legitimate demand. Respectfully, we count on the efforts of government and management to make payment of the rent allowance so as to fore-fend any industrial action,” the letter added.

Strike strike strike!

This is not the first time JUSSAG is threatening to make its members lay down their tools over allowances.

JUSSAG earlier in April 2017 threatened a similar action to demand the payment of outstanding allowances which the association insists are embedded in the conditions of service of its members.

The action was subsequently suspended following a crunch meeting between leadership of JUSSAG and government representatives, including the Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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Government airlifted $ 3 million cash to pay the appearance fee of the Black Stars players after the team threatened a boycott of Thursday’s match.

A press statement issued by the GBA noted that “government’s decision to bow to the pressure from the Black Stars players does not only break the law but also set a bad precedent for the citizenry”

“Government must be seen to be leading the line in playing by the rules set by law and institutions of state and not assist a group of people to break the law. This is utterly despicable!, “ it further stated.

Below is the full statement issued by the GBA

GBA STATEMENT ON THE EVENTS IN THE CAMP OF THE BLACK STARS AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 IN BRAZIL

The GBA notes with regret the off-field activities in the camp of the Black Stars, Ghana’s representatives at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

There is no doubt that football transcends all other activities in bringing the nation together and helps alleviate the numerous problems our people face in their daily lives. The fact that football impacts on social cohesion and national pride cannot be overemphasized.

The GBA read with concern from the local media, the internet, Bloomberg and other international news networks that the sum of US$3 million in cash had been physically airlifted from Accra to the players in Brazil since it cast a very negative picture of Ghana to the outside world.

GBA investigations revealed that there was an agreement with the players that their appearance fees and allowances would be paid into their bank accounts but midstream in the competition the players insisted on being paid physical cash with the threat that they would not continue to participate in the competition and thereby stampeded the authorities into physically transporting that colossal sum of money from Accra to Brazil.

Our investigations further revealed that this practice of carrying such huge sums in cash for footballers is not of recent origin. The country is reminded of a similar event which befell a former Minister of State, Mallam Issah.

At a time that the Bank of Ghana is making strenuous efforts to stabilize the cedi, it is totally imprudent that the football players could be allowed to ride roughshod over the whole country.

The GBA find it an affront to the Rule of Law and the principle of Equality before the Law that the Government on the spur of the moment found it prudent to disregard the law and legally binding directives and pander to the whims and caprices of the Senior National team, The Black Stars.

Such acts, the GBA notes, is not only a betrayal of the citizenry, especially business people who have painstakingly had to abide by the law and directives of the Bank of Ghana at the expense of their business interests, but also smacks of lawlessness and a bad example to the people of Ghana. The Black Stars players are not above the law and the GBA can find no justification for an exception to be made for them.

Ghana, unfortunately, has in the last 48 hours become the laughing stock of the global media because of government’s decision to mobilise and airlift Millions of United States Dollars in cash to Brazil. The GBA disagrees completely with Government’s decision to bow to pressure from the Black Stars players and in the process, not only break the law but also, set a bad precedent for the citizenry.

Government must be seen to be leading the line in playing by the rules set by law and institutions of state and not assist a group of people to break the law. This is utterly despicable!

Finally we have read in the international media gross acts of indiscipline which culminated in the expulsion of two players (Messrs Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng) from the Black Stars camp.

It is the GBA’s firm conviction that all persons representing the country in any capacity whatsoever should be aware of the fact that the country is bigger than any individual and that it is an honour and privilege to be called upon to serve the nation.

The GBA calls upon the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, the Ministry of Sports and Parliament to fashion out a strict code for the use of footballers and other sports personalities in any future event relating to discipline in camp and the payment of bonuses and allowances.

The GBA finally congratulates the officials who stamped their authority by expelling the two players and suggests that discipline must be the hallmark of our football teams and other teams and individuals engaged in sports and not merely the desire to win. This discipline must percolate to all facets of nation-building.

We would also wish to congratulate those players and officials who comported themselves and were great ambassadors for our nation Ghana.

Long live Ghana.

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to  the association, the Judicial Service has not received its subvention, thus making the efficient running of the service impossible.

The Ghana Bar Association in a statement signed by its National President, Nene Amegatcher noted that the judicial service has been paralysed by lack of funds.

”The Ghana Bar Association notes with regret that despite the fact that the constitution guarantees financial autonomy to the judiciary, the institution virtually has to be on its knees begging government to release its subvention.

”The situation has been worsened by the fact that the judiciary has not received even the inadequate budgetary provision for over a year,” the statement said.

The GBA revealed that an annual tour by its National Executives to the Central region revealed that the living conditions and working environment of the judges and staff of the judiciary is ”inhuman and degrading”.

”…there were cracked walls, leaking roofs, poor sanitation, lack of running water and broken down air conditioners and other infrastructure. Court recording systems have all broken down, forcing judges to revert to long hand as a way of recording thereby frustrating the speedy adjudication of cases,” the GBA statement noted.

This the GBA explained compromise the security of court documents.

The GBA also noted that the crisis has caused  some regional courts to suspend sittings thereby forcing litigants and lawyers to travel all the way to the capital which itself is overburdened with cases.

The Ghana Bar Association further called on President Mahama to ensure that the budgetary allocation due to the Judiciary is released ”forthwith” in accordance with the constitution.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Public Relations Officer of the GBA, Tony Forson said ”this will enable the sorry living and working environment of judges to be rectified to give them [judges] a conducive environment to live and work and administer justice without fear or favour. ”

The GBA also complained that the 15 percent internally generated fund retained by the judiciary is ”grossly” inadequate for third arm of the state to perform its mandate in all ten regions.

”The GBA calls on Parliament, without further delay to increase the percentage of the internally generated funds, from 15% to 75%,” the statement on the state of the judiciary delivery system added.

The Judiciary is not the only institution which has had to suspend business over unpaid subvention. Reports indicate that Parliament had to suspend resumption of business for the same reason.

Some public sector workers have also threatened strike over unpaid allowances and salaries.

By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko and Michael ‘Ayitey Powers’ Okine will set aside all the shenanigans and fight on Thursday.

At the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday afternoon, the two promised a good show in the presence of  GBA President Peter Zwennes and the freshly-crowned Joshua Clottey.

Citi 97.3 FM is the official English broadcaster of the fight

They both backed down from their insistence earlier this week that they would not fight unless their respective purses were upped to Gh¢50,000 (fifty thousand cedis) each.

“We have already signed the contract and we won’t do anything to bring boxing in Ghana into disrepute so we shall fight. If it’s even for one cedi, I will fight,” Kamoko swore.

“Yes it’s true that we wanted more cash but a contract is a contract and I have already told everyone that I will donate my purse to charity. I have spoken to the promoter already and I will accept what the promoter is offering, its victory that I want,” Ayitey Powers also vowed.

Boxers usually add spice to the pre-game talk by predicting the round in which the fight will be over, but Banku reneged this time.

“I will not reveal the round but I can assure all my fans to come and celebrate because no matter what I will stop Ayitey Powers.”

As for Powers, he reiterated his earlier promise: “This fight won’t travel far, I’m going to stop Bukom Banku in round 6, so I’m telling my fans all over to come in their numbers.”

Repeated explanation

Peter Zwennes went over the state of the issues regarding the fight vis-a-vis the statements by the Ga Traditional Authority earlier this week who said it will not happen.

“May 15 was chosen because the following day, the Ga Traditional Council’s ban on drumming and noise making comes into force,” he started.

“We didn’t want to keep our sponsors and public waiting too long for this fight so we are urging the fans especially from Bukom and James Town to beware and not make much noise before and after the fight,” Mr. Zwennes said.

“We would ensure maximum security in and around the stadium to forestall any disturbance and let peace reign.”

Highlights of Powers-Banku May 9 presser

Video credit: AllSports

By: Gary Al-Smith/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @garyalsmith

The post It’s on: Banku and Powers swear to fight for just 1 cedi! appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The ‘Grand Master’ returned to Ghana after his April 9 victory from his latest conquest, but without the prize he worked for.

On Friday morning, the new World Boxing Association (WBA) International light-middleweight title confirmed on Facebook that the boxing body had finally sent him the belt.

In front of his home fans, Anthony Mundine was brutally floored five times by the man from Accra.

For a sport that has the tradition of presenting titles to winners in the ring just after their triumph, the absence of the WBA International belt on the night when Clottey won was strange.

“I raised questions but it seemed to me that they did not expect me to win the title,” Clottey explained to the Daily Graphic when he touched down days after the win.

“I called my manager in the United States over the matter and he spoke to them about it. It was to be delivered within days, but now almost two weeks after the fight, I’m yet to receive the belt,” he said at the time.

Citi Sports understands that Clottey automatically becomes the number one contender to Mayweather Jr’s light-middleweight crown, having won the WBA International title.

Clottey, 36, has a good career record of 38 wins, including 22 knockouts and four losses.

By: Gary Al-Smith/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @garyalsmith

The post Joshua Clottey gets WBA title a month after beating Mundine appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.